Holidays, traditions and etiquette
Which holiday it is today in Georgia and whether shops are open, how to behave at a Georgian supra, what to bring your hosts and what the national costume is called.
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What are the public holidays in Georgia?
Georgia has 18 official public holidays a year: New Year on 1-2 January, Christmas on 7 January, Epiphany on 19 January, Mother's Day on 3 March, 8 March, National Unity Day on 9 April, four days of Easter, 9 May, 12 May, 17 May, Independence Day on 26 May, Mariamoba on 28 August, Svetitskhovloba on 14 October and Giorgoba on 23 November.
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How do you register a marriage in Georgia?
Marriages in Georgia are registered at a Wedding House, a territorial office of the Public Service Development Agency or a Public Service Hall branch, and marriage is allowed from the age of 18.
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How do toasts work at a Georgian feast and what is alaverdi?
At a Georgian feast the tamada leads the toasts: he proposes toasts suited to the occasion and is usually the most eloquent and respected guest.
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What to give a Georgian, and what gifts to bring from Russia?
When visiting Georgians you can bring sweets, good tea or coffee, flowers for the hostess or a gift for the children.
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What is Chidaoba (Georgian wrestling)?
Chidaoba is an ancient Georgian martial art that combines wrestling with music, dance and special garments, and it has been on the UNESCO intangible heritage list since 2018.
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What Georgian traditions are connected with wine?
The main wine tradition of Georgia is making wine in clay qvevri buried in the ground, and wine accompanies family celebrations, songs and the harvest.
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How is Epiphany (Natlisgeba) celebrated in Georgia?
Georgians mark Epiphany, or Natlisgeba, on 19 January: it is an official day off, with festive services in churches and a blessing of water.
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How do Georgians commemorate the dead at Easter?
On Easter Monday people in Georgia go to the cemetery, pray for the dead and roll an egg over the grave.
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What is Lamproba in Svaneti?
Lamproba is an early spring festival of Svaneti in honour of Saint George, which the Svans call Lampiari, with large bonfires, singing, ritual drinking and feasting.
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What is Georgian polyphony and why is it on the UNESCO list?
Georgian polyphony is a secular vocal tradition in the Georgian language, proclaimed a masterpiece by UNESCO in 2001 and inscribed on its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008.
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What does Georgia mark on March 3 and April 9?
Georgia marks Mother's Day on March 3 and National Unity Day on April 9 for the 1989 events in Tbilisi, and the Labour Code lists both as holidays.
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What does Georgia celebrate on May 26?
On May 26 Georgia marks Independence Day, in memory of the 1918 Act of Independence, and the day is a public holiday under the Labour Code.
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What is Svetitskhovloba (Mtskhetoba) and when is it celebrated?
Svetitskhovloba, or Mtskhetoba, is the religious and cultural feast of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta, held on October 14, and the Labour Code lists the day among the public holidays.
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What traditions and dishes belong to a Georgian wedding?
Georgian wedding traditions show most clearly on the table: jvari wedding bread, cheeses, walnut dishes, khachapuri and satsivi, wine, and khashi the morning after.
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What is chichilaki and why is it put up for New Year?
Chichilaki is a Georgian New Year tree carved from a hazel branch and the main attribute of Kalandoba, the Old New Year on January 14.
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How is Christmas celebrated in Georgia and what is Alilo?
Georgia celebrates Christmas on January 7, an official public holiday, and Alilo is an ancient Christmas tradition in which groups of singers visit homes with a carol.